Forty-seven immigrants from 15 different countries officially became United States citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the Sutter County Veterans Memorial Hall. The group of new citizens, ranging in age from their 20s to their 60s, represented nations including Nepal, Hungary, India, Mexico, and Syria.
Naturalization Ceremony Brings New Citizens Together
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services hosted the event in the Yuba-Sutter region, a ceremony the agency conducts twice a year.
Among those taking the oath was Raghbir Dhillon, who moved to the U.S. from India in 2009 to assist his daughter, Sarabjit Padda, with her children. Dhillon and his wife settled in Yuba City, where he worked in farm labor.
Personal Journeys to American Citizenship
The ceremony marked the culmination of diverse immigration journeys for the participants.
“To me, it’s like going back to when I first came here; being accepted by a new nation,” Caravez said. “Now I feel like I’m an American.”
Ken Khazal, who operates a gas station in Paradise, relocated from Syria to escape ongoing turmoil and seek better economic opportunities. Khazal highlighted the U.S. justice system as a core reason for his appreciation of the country, noting that he experienced equitable treatment regardless of his citizenship status.
Nicholas Bragg, another CSU Chico student, completed his naturalization process after moving to the U.S. from Canada at the age of two.
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